Those who drink Pu'er Tea often face a question: do you prefer raw tea or ripe tea? Similar questions include, is raw tea better than ripe tea? Does raw tea have a better effect on weight loss than ripe tea?…

Actually, many people don't need to answer this question as they drink both raw and ripe tea. However, the general feeling is that more people prefer raw tea over ripe tea.

When you ask for reasons, some might immediately mention that the fermentation process of ripe tea is unhygienic. In fact, many people prefer drinking raw tea not because ripe tea is “unhygienic,” but because drinking raw tea is more interesting and enjoyable.

A tea enthusiast shared that he transitioned from Black Tea to ripe tea, rock tea, and single-origin teas, and now drinks only raw Pu'er and Green Tea. He is captivated by the freshness and briskness of green tea in spring, while raw tea makes him realize how interesting Drinking Tea can be.

With raw tea, one can appreciate its origin, processing techniques, changes, layers, and storage value, with different experiences at different times, always offering dynamic surprises.

In his view, ripe tea mostly offers fragrance, Sweetness, stickiness, and richness, with little else to savor. Moreover, finding good ripe tea is truly challenging, as it's not easy to find one that possesses all four qualities.

Both raw and ripe tea, within the context of Pu'er tea, ultimately converge. There has been a phenomenon in the industry where a group of people intentionally creates opposition between raw and ripe tea, always evaluating their merits and demerits from their own perspective.

To date, none of the answers to the question “which is better, raw tea or ripe tea?” has convinced everyone, and perhaps there will never be a definitive answer.

Given this, choosing what to drink should follow your taste buds' preference. Preference is justice. Others may have countless reasons, but you can still have your own, such as finding it “more enjoyable” or any other reason.